School committee approves eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip with scholarship support

The Concord-Carlisle School Committee voted unanimously to support the district’s annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., approving a plan that uses travel company WorldStrides and includes company-provided scholarships and community fundraising to lower the per-student cost.

Justin, presenting for the trip organizers, said WorldStrides has offered $7,000 in scholarships for families in need and that a community fundraising event (past events raised roughly $14,000) plus individual student fundraising would further reduce costs. He said the base price per student is about $1,549 before scholarship and fundraising reductions and that organizers expect the net per-student cost could fall into the low-to-mid $1,200s after assistance.

Justin said the itinerary will be similar to previous years and emphasized that "no student will be turned away," a commitment reflected in the planned mix of company scholarships, community fundraising and family fundraising. Committee members asked about whether the district would provide additional support; presenters said scholarship funds and community events will be used first and that organizers would follow up with families in need.

A motion to support the Washington, D.C. trip was moved and seconded during the meeting and the committee voted aye, with members announcing their votes in roll call. The committee did not specify additional district funding during the meeting; staff said they would host a Zoom informational night for families if the trip is approved.

The committee’s approval allows the trip organizers to proceed with enrollment and informational outreach to families; further details about final per-student costs and scholarship distributions will be shared in upcoming parent communications.